Volcán Wolf and Volcano Ecuador on Isla Isabela are two sites directly on the equator line.

When Tomás de Berlanga returned to Spain from the Galápagos, he brought with him a cayman (a crocodilian reptile). This cayman measured nearly 10 feet long. It is currently on display in the cathedral in Berlanga de Duero, Spain.

The marine iguanas on Española Island attract mates by turning their black skin to bright red.

The work, The Encantadas, by Herman Melville, the author of the famous Moby Dick, were inspired by the Galápagos Islands.

The waved albatross can spend months and years without touching land. They take off only after they have all formed a single-file line, one after the other.

Galápagos tortoises and finches display a classic example of a symbiotic relationship. The finch hops in front of the tortoise to show that it is ready. The tortoise then stretches out its neck so the bird can pick off the ticks that are hidden in the folds of their skin. The finch gets a meal and the tortoise rids itself of pesky parasites.

The Galapagos is home to some of the highest levels of endemism on the planet. (Side note: Endemism is a descriptor for species that is unique to a specific area; this is different from indigenous species which can be native in multiple areas). About 80 percent of the land birds, 97 percent of the reptiles and more than 20 percent of the marine species are found literally nowhere else on earth. Among the endemic sea birds are a flightless cormorant, two species of gull and the only penguin species that lives in tropical waters.

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Population
Roughly 18,000

Capital
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island

Time Zone
U.S. Central Standard Time minus 1 hour

Currency
U.S. Dollar

Climate
Due to their proximity to the equator, the islands are warm most of the year, however, there is most definitely a hot season, which runs from January to April, and a cool season, from April thru to December. It rains more in the cool season and as a result, the vegetation is greener and the chance of spotting exotic bird-life is greater.

Consisting of 13 large and hundreds of small islands in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of South America, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the world’s most fascinating animal life.  On a small-ship cruise of the Galapagos you are sure to take in some breathtaking sights.

Over 1 billion tourists travel the globe every year vacationing anywhere from Hawaii, to Europe, to China or the Galapagos Islands.  It is important for us to work together to minimize our impact on the natural and culture treasures.  When traveling there are many ways to give back and cut back to make your vacation more green.

A few tips include:

Choose your method wisely.  Those that select motor choach travel cut their carbon footprint nearly in half, compared to even traveling via hybrid car.

Fly non-stop when possible.  Take offs, landings and ground operations produce a lot of carbon, select non-stop flights when possible to reduce your carbon footprint.

Offset your travels. Many companies including TerraPass.com and CarbonOffsets.org allow travelers to purchase carbon offset credits.  Use one of the many carbon calculators easily found online.

Keep showers short while vacationing, and remember to turn off lights, TVs and other electronic devices when leaving your hotel room for the day.

Visit Independent Traveler for more Green Travel Tips.

The Galapagos ranks as one of the most important sites in the Western Hemisphere in regards to biodiversity and scientific research.  As such, the Ecuadorian government is one of the first countries to include environmental legislation in the form of a constitutional amendment.

The Special Law for the Galapagos is a landmark piece of legislation which has far-reaching and unprecedented language to protect biodiversity and foster a culture of conservation.  The law aims to promote conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development of the Providence of Galapagos. The legislation recognizes not only the biological framework necessary to protect Galapagos, but also the intellectual and sociological aspects.

The principal goal of this piece of legislation is to create a harmonious existence between people and the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands. So enjoy the lush scenery, plants and animals that await you because they are heavily treasured and guarded in these pristine Islands!

Set along the equator, about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos are often referred to as the “enchanted islands.”  The skies are almost always sunny, the ocean is an inviting turquoise and the long sand beaches come in shades of crystal white, deep pink, volcanic black and glass-looking green. But, what make the Galapagos truly exceptional are the many opportunities for close-up encounters with wildlife. This could mean snorkeling with playful sea lions, tracking giant tortoises or meandering down the coast with indifferent iguanas.

In short, the Galapagos are still one of the most unspoiled areas remaining on the planet. The Islands have an international reputation for their extraordinary natural beauty, wildlife found nowhere else on earth and unparalleled contribution to the scientific world.

While “express” may not be the most fitting word, Post Office Bay on the volcanic island of Floreana (also known as Isla Santa Maria) has had its own special mail system since 1793. In the 18th century, whalers and Galapagos residents used to leave their mail inside the wooden barrel, waiting for a captain of any boat headed to where the mail was addressed to deliver it. In the vast and remote Pacific Ocean, this was the only official way to communicate with relatives, friends and governments. As a result, Post Office Bay soon became a mandatory stop to all sailors in Galapagos waters. This was indeed a useful service, free of cost, and gave everyone a chance to communicate while in Pacific waters. Read the rest of this entry »

They may not have the same wacky wit as Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow, but the pirates of the Galapagos had their share of adventures among the otherwise pristine islands.  During the 1500s and 1600s – as Spain was busy collecting the wealth of the Incas and shipping it home – the pirates (or buccaneers, depending on whose side you were on) would attack the Spanish treasure ships and steal riches for their own country … or themselves. The Galapagos became a favorite hangout for these pirates who would retreat onto their private coasts, stock up on water and meat (tortoise meat, that is) and, occasionally, stash their goods among the volcanic caves. Read the rest of this entry »

If the giant tortoise is the symbol of the Galapagos Islands, then Darwin’s finches must be the symbol of evolution in the Galapagos. The Galapagos Islands’ finches are most famous for their role in this theory of evolution.  What may be less well-known is that the finches are still evolving today.  Read the rest of this entry »